A lot of the people who come by here seem to be other writers, or at least people who are interested in what it takes to be a writer. Or an artist, musician, etc. Creative folks. People who want to do things. People who want to get shit done.

I’m not the greatest at advice, but here’s one thing that’s helped me. It’s not so much something to do as something to be aware of, something you’re going to have to deal with. Ready? Here it is.

Be prepared to piss people off.

If you want to get shit done, make things happen, write that book, start that band, make a splash on the art scene, create a magazine, get into porn, design a game, be a hand model, learn how to knit, carve tiki statues out of telephone poles with a chainsaw, you will run into someone who is not happy about it.

It’s inevitable. There will always be someone who wants to keep you in your box. Someone who doesn’t get what you’re doing or why you’re doing it. They might not oppose you, they might not even get in your way. But they just won’t get it. And you’ll hear about it. Or get a disapproving glance. Or an upturned nose. It’ll be your mom, your boyfriend, some random jackass on a bus who asks what you’re scribbling in your notebook.

If you want to get things done you’re going to have to push them aside. And that’s gonna fly like a lead balloon.

Learn to be okay with it. Learn to accept that you’re not going to make them happy, that some of them are going to actively try to keep you in your tiny little box.

Then tell them to go fuck themselves and do it, anyway.

Let 2013 be the year you piss those people off by doing the things you want to do.